The spring of the year 2004, tinted with a color of
hope
, has come to us. In this bright and beautiful day, I am so delighted to be here with honorable guests from all over the country, the members of the 2003 graduating class, their families and friends, and CNU staff and faculty members, for the 52nd Winter Commencement. Dear honorable guests, members of the 2003 graduating class, their parents, and all of the Yongbong family members who love CNU!
Thank you for attending this ceremony. The young people, who are our children, our students, and our juniors in school, are now ready to take their first steps into the new world in order to make flowers of their dreams and intelligence bloom. I wish to congratulate you, the members of the 2003 graduating class. 3,233 bachelor
s degree awardees, 731 masters, and 151 doctors! Your dedicated work has come to a successful conclusion and we celebrate it with loud applause.

Dear CNU graduates standing in this glorious place!
The world has already entered into an era of pluralism. Our country is pushing forward development measures to make the nation into a ``multi-nuclei structure,

where regions will have distinctive features of their own. You are the leaders of this new age. The world order and our political and social status are changing every day. We know the fact so well that the power causing the changes are flown out from the youth you have and we have witnessed it. When you make efforts to develop yourselves continuously, you shall be the leaders of this age. The reality you will face in your new social lives may become an ordeal or difficulties for you to go through. I ask you to confront the adverse situations fairly and boldly with your hot youth, cool intelligence, and unbroken idealism. The social changes into the
information-based society
and
globalized society
, where the global village becomes a single community, are calling for our more independent capabilities and open-minded thinking. To cope with these changes independently, you should not be lazy in searching for a new paradigm and creating one for yourselves. Under the new government policy for the development of local universities, we at CNU are ready to start a project to be a world-class institution. Your participations are crucial for the project to develop local community based on the local university development. You have the power to help those who are not swift or strong or wise to finish the race. You have a responsibility not only to persevere in your personal life, but also to help the people around you. You can face the challenges of this society with your optimism, and you can tackle adversity among our people with your knowledge. You can change the world around you for the better, if you are determined enough to move through the obstacles. No one can correspond to the demands of the society as fast as you can. You are the right ones to confront the social and national tasks as leaders.

My beloved graduates!
CNU has grown up to be a world-class university with its fifty years of history. In every aspect including faculty members
research achievements, students
competitiveness, and modernization of university systems, CNU has watched the development, which could be achieved through CNU alumni
s incessant interests and concerns over the University. For the last fifty years, CNU has been breathing with the distressing modern history of Korea. Your seniors have played important roles in various areas of our society such as politics, social service, economics, and culture, even though they were under the difficult situations. They have also given assistance for the development of CNU for the period. We have a firm determination to come to grips with the needs of the times on the basis of the splendid tradition that our graduates have established. We want to maintain the unique bonds which were formed between us over these past years and foster their growth for your and for our benefit.
You are the pride of our local society and the hope of our nation. You are much indebted to your parents and brothers. You have grown up under the protection of the local community. You have expanded your intelligence with the firm belief of the nation and the people. Now it is time to return your favor for the expectation and hopes. I ask you to take the lead in serving the local community and in realizing the national ideal as specialists in specific study fields and intellectuals with practical perspectives, not satisfying with your personal success. This is the responsibility you have to fulfill and the way you can make CNU proud. I hope you will find time to encourage others, keep in touch with your professors, provide job opportunities for the graduates who follow you, attend campus events, and tell others how truly magnificent this distinctive institution really is.

Proud graduates!
Let me congratulate you again on your honorable degree acquisitions and your new step into the world. We will watch you leave CNU as our proud members and we will further endeavor to be your proud school at any moments. Although you, the graduates, are leaving us today, please do not forget you are always a member of Yongbongians and pay your continuous attention to CNU. CNU has made a commitment to preparing a flight into a new vision of
knowledge-based community towards the world
. As the University had made its efforts, I expect all of you to exert yourselves for the happiness of the world and the human beings on the basis of your experiences here.
Again, I give congratulations and best wishes to each of you and thanks to the distinguished guests, the families and sponsors who are here with you today. Thank you.